EDITORIAL: Vote no on Prop. 14; save options

OUR VIEW: 'Open primaries' would kill minor parties

The move to a "top two" primary system in California
(Proposition 14 on the June 8 ballot) should be rejected ---- just
as a similar measure was in 2004.

The initiative would open primaries for state voters from all
parties ---- including statewide offices, congressional and
legislative seats ---- and put the top two vote-getters on November
ballots.

Under this system, all candidates for the primary would be
listed on the primary ballot (either with or without their party
identification listed, at the candidate's choice), including
independent candidates. All primary voters would get to vote in
each race (currently the "decline to state party preference" voters
are excluded from some ballots). The top two vote winners move on
to November, even if the two are from the same party.

The measure would not apply to presidential races or to
elections for party officials.

We think the argument for the idea, endorsed by Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger, sounds better than the reality. The proponents
assume that a "top two" primary system will push candidates to the
middle, eliminate the stranglehold the far right and left have over
the Republican and Democratic parties, and help moderate the
Legislature.

We don't think so.

Rather, such a system, will kill the minority parties and voter
choice ---- goodbye to Green, Libertarian, American, Peace and
Freedom, etc., candidates ever making it to a general election
ballot or even having influence ---- and we think it will further
cement Democratic and Republican control in those districts where a
partisan lopsidedness already exists.

It will also make elections even more expensive, as it will
require two vigorous campaigns (one for the primary and one for the
general), even when there are clear party favorites with little
opposition.

Another of our objections to this measure is a sense of what it
means to be a party member and the freedom of association contained
in the First Amendment. The Democrats and all those who declare
themselves to be of that party ought to be the ones who choose
their candidate, just as the Republicans, Greens, Libertarians and
others do.

Why should nonmembers have any say in who should stand as a
political party's nominee in an election?